Week 25- The fall of the Girondins and the Federalist revolt Flashcards
Why were the sans-culottes becoming increasingly militant?
The war was going badly, the assignats brought inflation, the British Naval Blockade had an impact on food imports, prices were rising, their calls for price controls were being blocked by the National Convention.
How did Robespierre respond to the sans-culottes’ increasing militancy?
He initially showed little sympathy for the rioters.
However, he realised the political advantage to be gained from supporting them to discredit his Girondin rivals.
What role did Jean-Paul Marat play?
He published articles in his L’ami du Peuple, blaming the Girondins for France’s problems.
What impact did Marat’s articles have?
They partly sparked a series of attacks on the Girondin printing press on 9-10th March.
How did the Girondins respond to the attacks on the printing press?
12th April 1793, he produced an indictment for Marat’s arrest, on the grounds of inciting murder, pillage and attacking the authority of the convention.
What was the outcome of Marat’s arrest?
He was acquitted within 12 days.
Georges Danton used the occasion to portray the Girondins as enemies of liberty and the Republic.
How did the sans-culottes finally achieve price controls on wheat and flour?
On 3rd May, 8000 sans-culottes surrounded the convention demanding price controls.
This enabled Robespierre to establish the first price controls.
What was the impact of Price controls?
It secured the alliance between the Jacobins/ Montagnards and the sans culottes.
How did Robespierre initiate the fall of the Girondins?
On 26th May, he called for a rising against the ‘corrupt deputies’ in the convention.
How did the sans-culotte’s respond to Robespierre’s call for a rising against the ‘corrupt deputies’?
Between 31st May and 2nd June, thousands of sans-culottes and National Guards besieged the National Convention demanding the Girondins be expelled.
How did the National Convention respond to the sans-culottes besieging them?
Initially ‘the Plain’ tried to resist the pressure.
However, on the 2nd of June the crowds increased to 80,000- 100,000.
This forced them to give in.
What was the impact of the attacks towards the Girondins?
Propelled a revolt in the départements beyond Paris, where Girondin support was strongest.
This was known as the Federalist Revolt.
What were the Federalist revolts?
They were a reaction against the strong centralising control of the Jacobins in Paris.
They were branded as anti-revolutionary by the Jacobins.
They therefore were a significant threat to them and posed a danger of civil war.
How did the Federalist revolt begin?
On 29th May, the Jacobin leaders in Lyons were forced out of office.
At the beginning of June there were similar expulsions in Avignon, Bordeaux, Marseilles and Toulon.
